Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning that his country could use nuclear weapons against Ukraine if it faced aggression, including attacks using conventional weapons. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations, with Ukraine seeking permission from the UK and US to target Russian bases with long-range cruise missiles and supersonic battlefield range missiles. Russia’s ally China has called for calm, with President Xi Jinping cautioning against the use of nuclear weapons. This statement from Putin has sparked concerns about the possibility of a nuclear conflict in the region.